Refrigerating apparatus.



No. 652,210. Patented June I9, |900.`

W. W. HARRIS.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

(Application led Jan. 20, 1899.)

7 Sheets-Sheet H.

(No Model.)

ma Nonms PETERS co, ruoraumo.. msnmoww. n. c.

No. 652,2lo. Patented lunare, |900. w. w. HARRIS.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

(Application med .15120, i899.)

7 Sheets-Shut 2.

(No Mdel.)

SEPARA TOR G45 HP:

TIA: News penas co, womumo., wAsHmaYoN n c No. 652,210. Patented June I9, |900. W. W. HARRIS.

REFHIGERATINGAPPARATUS.

(Application led Jan. 20, 1899.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

TH: Noam PETERS ce. Pnoouwo., wAsHlNamN. D4 c N0. 652,2l0. Patented lune I9, |900.

W. W. HARRIS.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

(Application led Jan. 20, 1899.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(Hu Model.)

No. 652,2Iu. Patented :une I9, |900.

w. w. HARRIS.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

(Application led Jan. 20, 1899.)

7 Sheets-Shed 5.

(No Model.)

un. 652,2lu. Patented June I9, |900. w. w. HARRIS.

HEFBIGERATING APPARATUS.

(Application med Jan. 2o, 1899.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 8.

ws muws PETERS co. PHaro-L-mm wAsmNGroN. n. c.

No; 652,2Io. Patented :une |9, |900. w. w. HARRIS. BEFRIGEBATING APPARATUS.

(Applieaton led Jan. 20, 1899.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

me Nawal: PETERS om Pnorwuwo.. WASHINGTON. D. c,

UNITED STATES PATENT EFICE.

WILLIAM wALLINGroN HARRIS, ou LONDON, ENGLAND, AssIcNon To PAUL PFLEIDERER, or SAME PLACE.

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 652,210, dated June 19, 1900.

Application filed January 20, 1899. Serial No. 702,764. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, zit may con/cern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM WALLINGTON HARRIS, engineer, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at 24 Alexandra road, Hornsey, London, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented certain new and useful Refrigerating Apparatus, of which the followingr is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus constructed to work by gravitation on the absorption principlenthat is to say, is charged with a liquid which contains a gas, which gas can be separated by the action of heat and be reabsorbed when the water or fluid from which it was originally driven is cool enough to receive it-and has for its object improvements in the'construction of the apparatus,the cooling effect of which is produced in a simple and automatic manner, one of the principal objects being to obviate altogether the necessity for using skilled labor in producing the result and in the case of apparatus designed for household and domestic use to reduce the manual acts of working to the simplest possible proceeding and such as can be easily performed by any ordinary domestic servant who has not had any previous training for the task.

The apparatus is constructed in such a way that the cooling medium is hermetically sealed in a series of tubes which are capable from their great strength of resisting a very high pressure. This strength, however, is employed mainly .for the purpose of obtaining absolute soundness of the joints and by this means prevents any escape of the cooling. medium with which the apparatus is prima-` This soundness enables thej cold-producing power to be used over and over,L again without intermission, leakage, or derily charged.

terioration of any sort for many years,

The parts of the apparatus are propor` tioned each to perform the peculiar function required of it, either for separating, absorbing, condensing, or collecting, and this is particularly so as regards the surface condenser, where the water used for cooling is so proportioned in quantity that it does not need to be circulated or changed at all,but remains quiescent between the periods when it is heated and cooled. It rises a few degrees when separation is being effected and drops back again to the normal temperature iu the intervening period between the workings. By this means the water used for condensing and cooling only requires replenishing at long intervals, and this is done by simplykeeping the tanks filled to the water-lines by any convenient vessel.

The operation of producing the cold is con fined to the simple actof heating and cooling the separator, and this is done by applying a measured amount of heat, the total quantity of which is just suiiicient to raise the separator to the required temperature. For a small apparatus this can be done by using a spirit or oil lamp, which is charged with a definite quantity of spirit or oil, which when burned gives off the exact amount of heat that will effect the separation of the gas and which is arranged Io burn out when the proper amountof heat has been generated and passed into the separator. The separator may then be left to cool down naturally, or if quicker cooling effect is desired it can be obtained by submerging the separator in water by raising a balanced tank. This balancedtank is filled with a given quantity of water of sufficient amount to reduce the temperature of the separator down to the point where rapid combination takes place. The remaining heat in the separator will then pass away through the sides of the tankinto the atmosphere and the temperature of the water drop to the normal before it is again required for cooling purposes. Thus the same cooling-water can be used over and over again, which does away with the necessity for connecting the apparatus to either a water service or drain. In a larger apparatus where a much greater quantity ot' heat is required to do the work and where a lamp would not be suitable the heating may be effected by gas controlled by an automatic meter which measures out a given quantity of gas and then shuts off the supply, or the same act-ion may be obtained by employing a lamp of known heating power for a given length of time; but this .requires the attention of some one to look after it, which `is avoided when the lamp is allowed to burn out or the meter itself shuts off the supply. The cooling medium preferred and IOC with which the separator is charged is ordinary, commercial ammonia, consisting of onethird ammonia-gas and two-thirds Water of a specific gravity ot .870; but any suitable combination of gas and fluid may be used it its absorbing affinity is suiiciently good and its liquefied gas has a boiling-point low enough to make it effective.

I The apparatus consists principally of seven members-first, a separator for separating and absorbing the ammonia or other gas from the Huid in which it is contained,together with a movable water-tank for cooling the same; second, a condenser for cooling the gas on its way to the receiver; third, a receiver where the liquefied gas is collected; fourth, coldproducing tubes which are charged with a permanent quantity ot' anhydrous ammonia for the purpose of absorbing heat from the chamber; fifth, an overflow for the purpose of returning to the separator any surplus ammonia or watery vapor that may have been passed over accidentally; sixth, a lamp ot' measured heating power, and, seventh, an insulated cold boX or chamber.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a refrigerating apparatus and cold-chamber which are adapted to work with a spirit or oil lamp.

l Fig. 2 is a sectional plan on the line 2 2 ot' Fig. 7.

Fig. l; Fig. 3, an end elevation, and Fig. 4 a plan, of the same. Fig. 5 is an elevation, and Fig. 6 a plan, of a refrigerating apparatus adapted to work with gas. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the separator and absorber. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 8 S, Fig. 9 is a local section on the line 9 9, Fig.- '7. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are diagram views illustrating the action of the separator and absorber apparatus. Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation of the condenser, and Fig. 14 a plan o1' the same; Fig. 15, asection of a attened tube for the condenser. Fig. 1G is an elevation ot the refrigerating-pipes. Fig.

y17 is an end elevation, and Fig. 18 a plan, of

the same. Fig. 19 is an elevation of the sep- Y`/arator and balanced tank; Fig. 20, a sectional elevation showing the lamp in position; Fig. 21, a plan of the lamp.

In Figs. 1 to 4, A is the separator and absorber. B is the condenser; C, the receiver; D, the cold-chamber; E, the refrigeratingpipe; F, the overflow from receiver to sepy'arator; G, the balanced tank for cooling the separator; H, a casing surrounding the separator for the double purpose of keeping the heat in close contact with it while it is being heated and to assist in circulating the water in the balanced tank when it is being cooled. K is a light shield or covering to the separator for the purpose ot detlecting the heated air and preventing it from impinging against the bottom of the condenser-tank or radiating in thedirection of. the cold-chamber. J is the lamp.

In Figs. 5 and 6, L is an automatic coin-freed gas-meter. M is the supply-pipe from the main, and N the pipe to gas-bracket O', which f its internal parts.

is pivoted at O and is fitted with an atmospheric burner. The meter is intended to measure out exactly the quantity of gas required to perform one operation of producing cold. When the burner goes out, the separation has been eiected, and all that remains to do is to swivel the gas-bracket in to the position shown by dotted lines Ozand raise the balanced tank, so as to submerge the separator in water. The quantity of water contained in the balanced tank G and condenser B and B is sufticient in each case to deal with the heat put into the separator, and neither require to he connected to either cold-Water supply or drain, which would be the case if it were necessary to change the water during the operation of producing cold or between the times when the apparatus was Worked.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the separator and absorber and shows the construction of P is the outer shell, and P an inner tube which practically divides the separator into two chambers. The inner tube P is made of sound but light material for the first portion, extending downward, such as tin well soldered, and is so constructed and attached to the upper part l?2 that no gas can possibly pass from the inner tube P to the annular space P3 formed by it and the outer shell except at the lower end P1, where the sound and solid portion of the tube ceases. From this point to the bottom the remainder of the tube, P5, is constructed of porous material, such as wire-gauze, two or more thick-` nesses being used to form the upper part and tapering to a single thickness near the bottom. The object of this gauze is to compel the gas to depress the'liquid in the center tube to as low a level as possible and so enter the Huid in the annulus through the pores in the mesh in a finely-divided condition at innumerable points, and thus insure a rapid combination. As an alternative method of construction the inner tube might be prolonged to the bottom, the lower end being perforated with a number ot' suitably-sized'holes. This inner tube P is provided with a lining P, which starts from the point where the mesh is attached to the solid portion and eX- tends upward to a point corresponding with about the level of the liquid whenA it is heated and has been deprived of about half its volume of gas. This lining is for the purpose of constructing easily one or more small passages P7 for the escape of gas which accumulates from time to time in the annular space P3 during the period when separation is being effected. These passages facilitate the escape of gas from this chamber without disturbing the body of the liquid, which when heated is collected in the center tube, as is shown by diagram Fig. 10. The discharge of gas from IOO \ versed.

making a way for the gas to escape as soon' `as the liquid in the annulus sinks low enough lus from fallingsufliciently low to uncover thev bottom of the tube itself, P4. By this means a permanent liquid seal is maintained. Figs. 10 and ll show the positions of theliquid in the inner tube when separation is being effected, and Fig. 12 that in the annulus when absorption is takingplace. In the center of the inner tube is placed an arrangement R for the purpose of circulating the liquid which is being separated. It consists of a dome-shaped bottom R with a vertical stem R2. 4The dome is perforated around its outer edge near the bottom with a number of small holes to allow the iiuid to enter freely and when heated pass up the vertical stem, which is open at the top and covered by a shield. The stem is provided with a series of holes R3 at intervals in its height to allow of its accommodating itself to the varying levels of the liquid as it is deprived of its gas. The heated fluid rises up the center and pours out first from the top, as shown by Fig. l0, and afterward at the holes Ris in the sides of 'the tube as the level sinks. As the liquid becomes exhausted each hole is covered by a shield to throw the spirting liquid downward, the gas being then free to pass through the apparatus to the receiver. The valve S is for discharging air, and S for the purpose of withdrawing exhausted liquid and inserting solution while the apparatus is being charged. T is a tube forinserting a thermometer should it be desired to ascertain the temperature of the boiling liquid.

The condenser, Figs. 13 and le, is divided into Vtwo parts B and B. The heated gas from the separator rises in coil B2 and parts with its first heat in tank B. It then descends coil B3 in a cooler condition and parts with its remaining heat in tank B. This lattertank is lined with an insulating material, as it receives less heat than tank B during the process of separation and is afterward cooled by the cold gases from the receiver returning to the absorber. Itis desired to conserve this cooling eifect as much as possible to assist the liquefaction when the process is re- Tank B is not insulated, but is allowed to part with its heat as soon as possible by radiation from the sides, as in a general way this tank will be hotter than the atmosphere surrounding it.

Fig. l5 is a section of a flattened tube for the condenser, the object of fiattening being to reduce the volume of the contents to assist liquefaction of the gas, it beingliquefied by its own pressure. The reduced volume allows this pressure to be obtained more easily, and at the same time the fullamount of the cooling-surface is retained, which is most essential.

Fig. 1G is an elevation of the refrigeratingpipes E and shows their connection to .the receiver, where the liquefied gas is collected. The end of pipe E is xed nearly iiush with the bottom of the inside of the receiver; but pipe E2 is allowed to stand a short distance above the bottom, the object of this difference of levels being to induce the current of anhydrous ammonia or other liquefied gas to flow in one direction through the refrigerating-tubes--viz., down pipe E tothe bottom of the coil and up through pipe Etz-after its temperature has been raised by heat abstracted from the cold-chambeigandby this continuous flow,d ue to gravitation,insure a perfect mixing of the contents of the refrigerating-tubes with the anhydrous ammonia or other liquefied gas in the receiver, and by this means bring the whole mass of the contents up to a uniform degree of strength. F is the over.- flow-pipe, which is connected to the receiver by a branch pipe which is in communication with the top and bottom of the receiver. -This arrangement makes it impossible for the pipe F to set up a siphon action and empty the recei'ver, its function being that of an overflow, pure and simple, which returns from time to time any surplus liquid in the receiver, and by this means passes back to the separator `any water or watery vapor that may have gone over to the receiver during working. E3 is a screw-valve for allowing the proving-water to be drawn from the apparatus afterrits soundness has been ascertained by hydraulic pressure. y

In Figs. 2O and 2l, J is thecontainer, which is made of suitable size to hold the measure of combustible required to produce the amount of heat necessary. The container J is made of metal the body of which must be sound to prevent the escape of spirit or vapor anywhere except through the burner. The center is provided with an air-passage J3, and over it and part of the container, as shown by Fig. 2l, is stretched a piece of wire gauze J2, which forms the burner. The quantity of air passed into the center of the Iiame is regulated by a button J4 at the center, which adjusts the inlet to the required amount. The body of the container .l is packed with silicate, cotton, or other suitable non-combustible material to absorb the spirit or other combustible and convey it to the surface, where it is consumed.

It will be observed that in this apparatus all gages to indicate either heat or pressure that would be usually necessary to determine when the operation of separating the gas is over are obviated and rendered unnecessary. The lamp burning out or the meter shutting off the supply indicates atonce that the process has been effected.

In order to produce cold, all that is necessary is to light the lamp or the gas andallow it to burn itself out. If it is desired to hasten the operation, the lamp or burner mayv IOO IIO

then be removed and the tank G raised, so as to immerse the separator A; but this is not essential.

What I claim is- 1. The combination of a combined separator and absorber comprising a vertical annular chamber completely closed at the top, a central chamber within it and in communication with its lower end, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver in communication with the condenser.

2. The combination of a combinedseparator and absorber comprising a vertical annular chamber completely closed at the top, a central chamber within it and having numerous fine perforations at its lower end, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver in communication with the condenser.

3'. The combination of an annular chamber, a central chamber within it and in comm-unication with it-s lower end, a perforated pipe within the central chamber extending from near its bottom to about the highest liquidlevel,deiiectingplates above the pipe and perforations, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver.v in communication with the condenser.`

4. The combination of an annular chamber, a central chamber within it and having numerous ne perforations at its lower end, a perforated pipe within the central chamber extending from near its bottom to about the` highest-liquid-level, deflecting-plates above the pipe and perforations, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver in communication with the condenser.

5. The combination of an annular chamber, a central chamber within it having its lower end formed of wire-gauze, a perforated pipe within the central chamber extending from near its bottom to about the highest liquidlevel, deiiecting-plates ,above the pipe and perforations, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver vin communication with the condenser.

6. The combination of an annular chamber, a central chamber within it and having numerous fine perforations at its lower end, a lining forming a passage within the central chamber and extending from just below the bottom of its solid part up to a point at some distance below the highest liquid-level, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver in communication with the condenser.

7 The combination of an annular chamber, a central chamber within it having its lower end formed of wire-gauze, a lining forming a passage within the central chamber and extending from just below the bottom of its solid part up to a point at some distance below the highest liquid-level, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver in communication 'with the condenser.

8. The combination of an annular chamber, a central chamber within it and having numerous fine perforations at its lower end, a perforated pipe within the central chamber extending from near its bottom to about the highest liquid-level, deiiecting-plates above the pipe and perforations, a lining forminga passage within the central chamber and'extending from just below the bottom of its solid part up to a point at some distance below the highest liquid-level, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber, and a receiver in communication with the condenser.

9. The combination of an annu-lar chamber, a central chamber within it having its lower end formed of wire-gauze, a perforated pipe .within the central chamber extending from near its bottom to about the highest liquidlevel, delecting-plates above the pipe and perforations, alining forming a passage within the central chamber and extending from just below the bottom of its solid part up to `a point at some distance below the highest liquid-level, a condenser in communication with the upper end of the central chamber,

and a receiver in, communication with the condenser.

10. The combination of a vessel used alternately as a separator and an absorber, a tank of conducting material, a tank of non-conducting material, a receiver, and coils in the tanks having their upper ends connected together and their lower ends connected respecy tively to the absorber and receiver.

l1. The combination of a vessel used alternately as a separator and absorber, a counterbalanced water-tank which is beneath the vessel when in its lower position and has the vessel immersed in it when in its higher position, a burner adapted to be brought under the vessel when the tank is lowered and to be moved away when the tank is raised, a condenser connected to the vessel and a receiver connected to the condenser.

12. The combination of a vessel used'alternately as a separator and absorber, a condenser connected to it, refrigerator-pipes, a receiver having its top connected to the condenser and its bottom to the refrigeratingpipes, a pipe arranged outside the receiver and having its two ends open to the bottom and top respectively of the receiver, and a branch pipe connecting this pipe to the separator and absorber.

WILLIAM WALLINGTON HARRIS.

Witnesses:

ROBERT B. RANsFonD, JOHN H. VHITEHEAD.

IOO

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